RR Donnelley using SigmaLine technology from Muller

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Press release from the issuing company

Hauppauge, New York – Based on its success in providing digital book manufacturing solutions that feature Muller Martini's SigmaBinder OnDemand perfect binder, leading book producer RR Donnelley is now enhancing the digital capabilities at its Harrisonburg, Virginia production facility with the latest SigmaLine technology.
“As a result of the positive experience we have had with our digital book production initiative, we feel that Muller Martini is the ideal partner to assist us in successfully enhancing our capabilities,” said John Pecaric, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, RR Donnelley. “Together, SigmaLine technology and Muller Martini expertise provide us with a single-source OnDemand solution that helps us to better serve our customers.”
“We have collaborated closely with RR Donnelley since 2003, enhancing our SigmaLine solution as RR Donnelley’s digital production needs have evolved,” said Andrew J. Fetherman, Manager, OnDemand Solutions Division, Muller Martini. “With this recent SigmaLine purchase, RR Donnelley will have at its disposal today’s state-of-the-art digital book manufacturing equipment.”
Muller Martini's SigmaLine technology -- the world’s first commercial-quality, totally modular, digital book manufacturing solution -- is as versatile as it is innovative, meeting a broad range of needs and bringing diverse printing and finishing to shops of all sizes. The SigmaLine system of modular and scaleable digital components enables printers, binderies, in house operations and many other businesses to complement their existing book manufacturing capabilities by adding greater efficiency and diversity to individual areas of their operations. They can also implement a whole new strategy by creating an entire OnDemand platform.
“SigmaLine is the flexible digital finishing solution designed to meet the current and future needs of the OnDemand marketplace,” says Werner Naegeli, President and CEO of Muller Martini Corp. “With SigmaLine, the options for the system configuration are up to the user...however, no matter which SigmaLine technologies are utilized, the result is the ultimate in fast, cost-effective throughput.”
SigmaLine consists of eight state-of-the-art modular components that are designed to be mixed and matched independently of one another or coordinated altogether as an entire digital system. The full SigmaLine configuration includes the following. SigmaPress in this case is a Nipson digital press totally integrated within the SigmaLine system, providing continuous-feed operation and printing each job in a single pass. SigmaFolder is a commercial-grade folder that produces signatures with extremely high accuracy. SigmaCollator gathers the folded signatures and instantly delivers them to the SigmaBinder for finishing. SigmaBinder produces perfect-bound books at up to 1,000 fully variable-sized copies per hour, with hotmelt utilized for separate spine and side gluing. SigmaTower ensures proper cooling of perfect bound books and optimal curing of the adhesive. SigmaTrimmer utilizes a patented principle with three independently driven knife elements, automatically trimming books of varying sizes and thicknesses. SigmaStitcher produces up to 6,000 saddle-stitched products per hour and features fully automatic makeready. And SigmaControl utilizes a JDF interface to combine and coordinate all functions of the printing and binding process...including a highly sophisticated job definition tool as well as intelligent production supervision with line performance management, product tracking, and management information that provides critical job status while allowing for automated format and job changes.
Whether the decision is made to use a near-line or in-line workflow, book manufacturers can benefit from the in-line collation advantages and minimal make-ready times of the latest SigmaLine book manufacturing solution. Jobs can be readied for production literally in seconds, allowing for more projects to be completed during a given production shift and making almost no deadline impossible to meet. Work in progress is also nearly non-existent, resulting in reduced inventory carrying costs both during the book manufacturing process and storage of the finished product. Furthermore, with SigmaLine, printed pieces can be created in smaller quantities that are utilized immediately instead of being packed away in warehouses, where demand forecasting is required and product spoilage can ensue.
“Muller Martini has shown us over the last three years that they are in tune with our customers’ changing needs,” continued Mr. Pecaric.
Muller Martini’s SigmaLine OnDemand digital book manufacturing solution is the recipient of a 2005 GATF InterTech Technology Award for innovative excellence. SigmaLine is well-suited for a wide array of products, including books, catalogs, manuals, financial documents, journals, brochures, guides and many others.